Sunday, November 4, 2012

Maison Decor

Blogging offers the opportunity to easily connect with people around the world but nothing is more fun than finding local bloggers. One of those local bloggers is Amy Chalmers of Maison Decor. Amy is a designer who loves french country, cottage and vintage styles. We've often mentioned how our styles are so different but we can appreciate what the other does. We even joked about how we should open a store with a line down the middle. Her side would be light, feminine and romantic; my side would be dark, masculine, rustic and industrial. It would have something that would appeal to every shopper.

Amy not only opened a store without me, she's opened two stores this year...and, although a little envious, I couldn't be happier for her.

Amy also offer Annie Sloan painting workshops. This is a recent class in her Malden shop.

The South End, Boston location has a much more masculine feel. Note the 1798 Swedish Mora clock and the heavily carved antiqued French armoire mixed with new London tube roll signs and Parisian apartment clocks mixed with a vintage globe...

...and other "mantiques" as she calls them.

I walked away with a cool vintage Kodak camera on a great old wooden tripod.

The tripod needs a little refinishing but I thought it would make...

...and awesome lamp.

Amy's shop can be found online but if you find yourself in Malden or Boston,

33 comments:

Hi Steve, Looks like my kind of shopping. I am headed to Boston the week after next and will definitely stop in the South End store. If I time it well, I could make a stop in Malden on the way down as well - according to Mapquest it is less than 5 miles off 93. Thanks for the intro!All best,Phyllis

Steve -I'm so jealous that you can go shopping at Amy's stores when I'm so far away. I have to depend on her blog and phone updates. It's amazing she opened not one...but two stores this year. What is next for our amazing, Amy?

Steve thank you for writing about your trip to Boston and including info on my Malden store. I remember well talking about sharing a shop together! If I ever open a big co-op type place, I am gonna be calling you! Heading to Lowes to pick up the Cottage Living book today (my day off)~I am proud to say my friend's home is in the pages of this favorite (I have collected these issues)!

Well done to Amy, her shops look wonderful. I recently visited a local historic house, which was totally fascinating as it was split in two, just as you describe in your opening paragraph. It is called Castle Ward, and half of the house was decorated in classic Georgian style and the other half in Strawberry Hill Gothic. The husband and wife could not agree and so they had a dividing line. As you approach the house it is very classical in design on 3 sides and the 4th side is Gothic. I think you would just love it! Love Linda x

I have been to this shop and I love it! Nothing like going to SOWA, lunch and then shopping here. I bought an AMAZING humidor and I just adore it. I need to get back in. DELIGHTFUL shopping experience and the prices were excellent. Thanks for highlighting this little gem.

I've seen Amy's shops over on Nita's blog and thought they looked just fabulous. I'm full of envy too. I've always had a fantasy of being a shop-owner. I lean more to the Modern Eclectic who knows What! style of decor but I appreciate her soft French Country look too. I'm so happy for her. Such a great success!Seems like the Boston area is overflowing with talent!!!

Great shop. We have to go to Portland for anything like this-two hours away. I miss the cool shops down in Dallas-Lula B's, and the like. So fun to rummage through other people's stuff. Also brings home the lesson of impermanence-and how nothing is really ours for keeps, it's sort of on loan from the universe.

That said, I have been intrigued by dough bowls lately-one may have to find its way to my dining room table in podunkville, OR :)

I want to go and check it out...right now! Tempting, after being home so many days with a house full of people (kids)...but then their is talk of another storm. Only a little more than three hours away...I would take the train, but then how would I get my purchases home?...it's why I always drive a wagon.

I love Amy; she has accomplished so much the past year! I wish I weren't so far away. I always see things I would love to have! I am thrilled that she has mixed it up and has some interesting masculine looks.

Went there yesterday after reading your post. What a fab store! And Amy is a sweetheart. We talked for about an hour and I walked away with the dining room curtains I've been waiting four years to find.

About Me

Guys like nice houses, too!
While out on a walk in my Boston area neighborhood, I came across an 1842 Greek Revival cottage for sale. I immediately fell in love with the possibilities. Join me on my journey of imagining all the possibilities while I renovate and furnish my cottage in the city.